Toy



March 7, 1933. RANNEY ET AL V 1",900,419

TOY

Filed Dec. 12, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LEO RANNEY HARCO F GADE fl ATTORNEYS March 7, 1933. RANNEY ET AL 2 She ets-Sheet 2 TOY Filed Dec. 12, 1930 INVENTORS LEO RANNEY HARCOURT E GADE I? W A RNEYS Patented Mar. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEO RANNEY, OF NEW YORK, AND HARCOURT F. GADE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK; SAID V GADE ASSIGNOR TO SAID. RANNEY I Application filed December 12, 1930. Serial No. 501,818.

This invention relates to toys, and more particularly to aquatic toys designed to produce a trilling whistling or other appropriate sound.

A known form of toy comprises a relatively light hollow body made, for example, of celluloid or like material, and simulating a duck, a swan, or like bird or animal which is adapted to float on the surface of a body of water. One primary object of the present invention is to improve such toys by providing the same with means to make a trilling whistling, or other appropriate sound. To this end, we so mount an a propriate wind operated sound making devlce, specifically a whistle, that the discharge end of the same is immersed in the water on which the toy floats. Due to the submergence of the end of the whistle a trilling sound is produced, which is attractive and realistic, and the desired realism of the toy is further enhanced by the bubbling, commotion, or wake produced in the water by the discharged bubbles of air.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for propulsion of the toys over the surface of the water. With this object in View, we so mount the whistle on the floating toy that the discharge end thereof is not onlyv immersed in the water, but also is so positioned that the air discharged therefrom tends to produce the desired movement of the toy. The available air supply is thus utilized for a dual function in an economical manner.

In a copending application of Leo Ranney, Ser. No. 37 6,244, filed July 5, 1929, there are described numerous forms of toys which are designed to float on the surface of a body of water, and to be propelled over the surface of the .water by propulsion means, making use of a stream of air obtained from an inflated elastic bladder, the air bubbles discharged from which are permitted to rise and expand in contact with an inclined submerged surface forming an integral part of or attached to the bottom of the toy. Still another object of this invention is to adapt the whistling toys so far described, for propulsion, in accordance with the teachings in the said copending application. This we accomplish in a relatively simple manner by providing the toy with an appropriate inclined submerged surface, and so mounting the whistle on the toy that the discharge end of the same releases air bubbles beneath the lower end of the aforesaid inclined surface. The desirable trilling sound is in no way affected, and at the same time the bubbles of already utilized air press against the inclined surface as they rise and expand, and a component of this pressure is effective to propel the toy.

It has already been suggested that a convenient source of air supply consists simply of an inflatable elastic air bladder. Such a bladder floats on the surface of the water and may move with the toy if propulsion means are employed. Sometimes the body of water on which the toy is to be operated is relatively small as, for example, a wash pan, bath tub, or the like. In such case it becomes necessary either to manually reverse the direction of movement of the toy at frequent intervals, or to provide a rudder or steering means for guiding the toy in a circular path, and an additional object of this invention centers about the provision of such means for obtaining the desired result without necessitating the addition of specific mechanism, and, in fact, while making it possible to eliminate part of the usual mechanism. To this end the inflatable elastic bladder is attached to the toy or to the inlet end of the whistle by fixed-adjustable swivel coupling means which permits the bladder to be positioned at any desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the toy. With this construction the flexible elastic tube usually provided between the bladder and the toy may, if desired, be eliminated. The bladder drags behind the toy and acts as a rudder, and, when positioned. at an angle relative to the toy, causes the same to follow the desired circular path.

elements and their relation one to the other as hereinafter are more particularly described.

in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which: g. lis a partially sectioned side elevation of one form of toy embodying features line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of still another form of toy embodying further features of the resent invention;

Fig. 5 is a detailed section taken in theplane of the line 55 in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the mode of operation of the toy illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

Referring to any of Figs. 1, 2, and 4, the toy in each case comprises a body A adapted to float on the surface of the water, and a wind operated sound making device, such as the whistle B. The whistle B is so mounted on the floating body A, that the discharge end of the same is immersed in the body of water on which the toy floats.

Air is supplied to the inlet end of the whistle from any appropriate source, referably an inflatable elastic air bladder (5 (Figs. 4 and 6) and the resulting passage of air through the whistle, due to the submergence of the discharge end of the same, causes an interrupted or trilling sound. The toy may in each case also be provided with an inclined submerged surface member D, and in suchcasepropulsion of the toy through the water may readily be obtained by so mounting the whistle B on the body A that the discharge end of the whistle releases air'underneath the bottom end of the inclined surface D. The buoyant and expansive forces of theair bubbles cause a pressure on the inclined surface D, and a component of this pressure is effective to cause propulsion of the toy over the surface of the water.

Considering the several disclosed embodiments of the invention in greater detail, and referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the body A may consist of a thin hollow shell formed of celluloid or like material. Such toys are already well known in the art and may be manufactured and marketed at a cheap price. The whistle member B is therefore preferably attached to the exterior surface of the body A, in which case the watertightness of the celluloid toy is not interfered with. The whistle B comprises simply a tube 12 which may itself be made of celluloid, within which there is mounted a block 14 located near a hole 16. This construction, which is well lmown, causes a division of the air stream passing through the whistle, which produces the desired whistle sound. In the present case, however, because of the submergence of the discharge end 18 of the whistle, this sound instead of bein continuous, is interrupted, with a trilling e ect which is attractive and may readily be varied, dependin upon the proportioning of the whistle an depth of submergence, to simulate the singing of a canary or other desired bird or animal. A source of air supply is connected to the inlet end 20 of the whistle, preferably by means of a flexible rubber tube22. This source may desirably consist simply of an inflatable elastic air bladder which may itself float on the surface of the water, along with the toy.

The toy as so far described is simply--a floating toy which makes a trilling whistling sound. To provide propulsion for the toy, it is merely necessary to so design the body A of the toy that it will include a rearwardly upwardly inclined surface such as the surface D, which is immersed in the water. The end 18 of the whistle is so positioned that air bubbles discharged therefrom are released beneath the lower end of the inclined surface D. Because of their buoyancy, these bubbles rise in contact with the inclined surface. As they rise, the bubbles expand, and this expansion causes further pressure against the inclined surface. It will be evident, from an inspection of the drawings, that a component of the resulting ressure is so directed as to cause movement 0 the toy in a forward direction. If the source of air supply is fixed, this movement is permitted on y y reason of the interconnecting tube 22. If the source of air supplied is an inflated elastic air bladder, the movement is permitted because the bladder may itself be towed along with the toy.

In Fig.2 the toy body A is shaped in simulation of a swan. The whistle B is'mounted within the body A at the forward end thereof. A portion of the wall of the body is cut away to permit projection of the portion 24 of the whistle, and it is-this portion which is provided with a block 26 and aperture 28 leading to the open air. The inlet end 3() of the whistle is kept within the body A and is supplied with air from the body which in turn is itself supplied with air throu h a nipple 32, projecting from the tail 0 the body, to which the tube 34 is attached. The discharge end. 36 of the whistle is immersed in the water, just as was the case in the toy already described. It may be observed, however, that in this case the discharge end 36 is directed rearwardly, and that a direct propulsive effect may be obtained from the discharged air. However, we prefer to make 3, so as to form a sort of inverted trough.

The balance or trim of the floating toy is such that this trough-like surface D is in clined rearwardly upwardly. The bubble propulsion operates in the manner reviously described, but in this case it shoul be noted that accidental escape of the bubbles from the sides of the toy is prevented by the trough-like nature of the inclined surface D.

The toy shown in Fig. 4, like that described a face wall 44, side walls 46, and a brace or attaching strip 48. The whistle tube B is cemented to the wall 44, and the resulting assembly is cemented to the rear and bottom walls of the body A. It will readily be understood that the air bubbles discharged from the lower end 50 of the whistle tube rise and expand in contact with the walls of the inclined surface member D and'thereby cause propulsion of the toy. The latter, meanwhile, makes the desired trilling sound.

In order to steer the toy so as to guide it in a circular path when only a limited body of water is available, the inflatable elastic air bladder C may itself be used as a rudder. The bladder is cemented to swivel coupling means here exemplified by the elbow 52, and the latter fits over the upper end or inlet 54 of the whistle tube B with sufficient friction to remain in any adjusted position. The inlet end 54 of the whistle tube is nearly vertical, and itself acts as a spindle or axis for oscillation of the bladder C relative to the longitudinal axis of the body A. With this construction the flexible tube interconnecting the bladder and toy may, if desired, be omitted, although the steering action is also obtainable even when such a tube is employed. When the air bladder is positioned at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the toy, the toy moves in a circular path, as will lli e clearly evident from an inspection of The mode of constructing and using the presentinvention, and the many advantages thereof, will, it is thought, be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. Aquatic or floating toys are caused to emit a trilling sound which is attractive and realistic. The air supply which produces the desired sound may itself be further used to propel the toy over the surface of the water on which it floats, and, if desired, this propulsion may be made economical in the consumption of air by taking advantage of the buoyant and exansive forces of the bubbles as they escape rom the sound making device. The desired air supply may .conveniently be obtained from an inflatable elastic air bladder, and the latter ma itself be further arranged to act as a rud er for guiding the toy in an arcuate or circular path.

It will be understood that any floating body ma be employed, consisting, for example, 0 wood or a metallic shell or the like, rather than a hollow celluloid bod such as has been described. It will further e appreciated that the toy body may assume the form of a boat, fish, or like variation, instead of the bird, swan, or duck bodies herein specifically described. It may further be remarked that while the actuating medium has been referred to as air, which 1n most cases is the preferable and most conveniently available medium, any other compressed gas may equally well be employed. It should further be understood that wind operated sound making devices other than a whistle may besubstituted for the Whistle here described, in which case the submergence of the discharge end will produce the desired trilling or pulsating sound even though the tone be different from that of a whistle. While each of the toys specifically described is arranged for both trilling and propulsion, it is clear that a floating toy arranged for trilling alone is readily obtainable simply by omitting the propulsion means.

It will be apparent that while we have shown and described our invention in the preferred forms, many changes and modifications may be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A swimming and whistling toy adapted to float on the surface of a body of water, said to including an inclined submerged troughike surface, and a whistle so mounted on the toy that the discharge end of the same releases air bubbles beneath the lower end of said surface, which bubbles rise and expand in contact with the surface and thereby propel the toy over the surface of the water.

2. A swimming and whistling toy adapted to float on the surface of a body of Water, said toy including an inclined submerged trough-like surface, a whistle so mounted on the toy that the discharge end of the same releases air bubbles beneath the lower end of said surface, and a source of air supply attached to the inlet end of the whistle, whereby the toy is propelled along the surface of 65 swivel coupling means for a.whistle so mounted on the toy'th at the discharge end of the'same releases air bubbles beneath the lower end of said surface, and an inflatable elastic air bladder attached to 5 the inlet end of the whistle whereb the toy is propelled alon the surface of t e water and makes a trillin whistling sound during the deflation of the ladder.

4. A swimming toy comprising a toy body adapted to float on the surface of a body of Water, an air tube so mounted on the toy that the discharge of air bubbles therefrom propels the toy over the surface of the water, a

separate inflatable elastic air bladder also adapted to float on the surface of the bodgrof ow water, and swivel-coupling means for connecting the air bladder to the inlet end of the tube and for mechanically attaching the air bladder behind the toy to the inlet end of the tube at any desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the to in order to obtain a steerin or rudder e ect upon the resulting propu sion of the toy,'due to the frictional drag of the bladder on the surface of the water as the bladder is towed along behind the toy.

5. A swimming toy comprising a toy body adapted tofloat on the surface of a body of water, said toy including an inclined submerged surface, an air tube so mounted on the toy that the discharge end of the same releases air bubbles beneath the lower end of said surface, a separate inflatable elastic air bladder also adapted to float on the surface of the body of water, and fixed adjustable swivel coupling means for flow connects ing the air bladder to the inlet end of the tube-and for'mechanically attaching the air bladder behind the toy to the inlet end of 40 the tube at any desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the toy in order to ob tain a steerin or rudder eflect upon the resulting propu sion of the toy, due to the frictional dra of the bladder on the surface of the water as the bladder is towed along behind the toy.

6. A swimming and whistling toy comprising a toy body adapted to float on the surface of a body of water, said toy including a whistle so mounted on the toy that the discharge of air bubbles therefrom propels the toy over the surface of the water, a separate inflatable elastic air bladder also adapted to float on the surface of the bod of water, and ow connecting the air bladder to the inlet end of the tube and for mechanically attaching the air bladder behind the toy to the inlet end of the whistle at any desired angle relative to'the longitudinal axis of the toy in order to obtain a steering or rudder effect upon the resulting propulsion of the toy, due to the frictional drag of the bladder on the surface of the water as the bladder is towed along behind the toy.

7. A swimming and whistling toy cOmpris ing a toy body adapted to float on the surface of a body of water, said toy including an inclined submerged surface. a whistle so mounted on the toy that the discharge end of the same releases air bubbles beneath the lower end of said surface, a separate inflatable elastic air bladder also adapted to float on the surface of the body of water, and swivel coupling means for flow connecting the air bladder to the inlet end of the tube and for mechanically attaching the air blad der behind the toy to the inlet end of the whistle at any desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the toy in order to obtain a steering or rudder effect upon the resnlting propulsion of the toy, due to the frictional drag of the bladder on the surface of the water as the bladder is towed along behind the -toy. 8. A swimming and whistling toy comprismg a relatlvely light hollow celluloid toy adapted to float on the surface of a body of Water, said toy including an inclined submerged trough-like surface, a whistle so mounted on the toy that the discharge end of the same releases air bubbles beneath the lower end of said surface and the inlet end of the same is in a nearly upright or vertical position, a separate inflatable elastic air bladder also adapted to float on the surface 'of the body of water, and'swivel cou ling 

